Heidi Hyde

04/20/2016
Katie Ball
FHS-2400

OPTION E: GENDER EQUALITY

Does it seem to you like gender equality is a one-way street? When we talk about gender equality, arent we usually
talking about women becoming more like men? Why dont conversations about gender equality also focus on mens
ability to become more like women? Does our society believe that women can really lead as well as a man? Does
our society really believe that a man can be as nurturing as a woman? What do you believe? The double standard of
aging says that men become more distinguished as they get older and that women dont. Assuming that you view
this double standard as being unfair, what can you do and what should our society do to remedy this lack of
equality?

I personally feel we have come such a long way in gender equality, women have a voice, women can
vote, and women can get the education to become successful in a career opportunities. Although there is
much more progress to make, there is still hope in overcoming and gaining gender equality. The whole
idea of gender equality is basically founded on the concept women can do what a man can do. For
example woman being recognized in corporate level positions, women being recognized in combat
position and women being able to be paid the same as a man would in the exact position. Many dont feel
women can lead better than a man. I feel this is based from the judgement that women are too emotional
and cannot be in an authority position. To counter that judgement, we have a women running for
president. Not only is she running for president but she has a huge following. This just proves how
discrimination on gender is slowly fading. Todays society we are seeing a shift of gender roles, women
are at a point where they have to or are willing to take part financially in the household, gender role
attitudes have changed partly as a response to the steady increase in womens participation in the labor
force (Strong & Cohen, 2014, pg 133). But its not only women, men are also being seen in womans
roles such as stay at home dads. I feel this conversation its not brought up as much as women being seen
as men roles, however this shift is happening. Strong and Cohen suggest that, within the past generation,
there has been a significant shift from traditional toward more egalitarian gender roles (Brewsters and
Padavic 2000; Lang and Risman 2007). Woman have changed more than men, but men are changing.
These changes seem to affect all classes, although not to the same extent or the same pace (Strong &
Cohen, 2014, pg 133).
The double standard of aging that man can be more distinguished as they get older and that woman dont,
is a perspective I feel that has been built upon from our media. Everywhere we look we see young and
flawless beautiful girls. Woman are characterized to be molded into this ideal look, however the reality of
this perfect women is far from true. Many women are led to feel insecure and feel that getting old is not
beautiful. When this happens they end up objectifying their true identity and lead to plastic surgery. To be

able to avoid this us women should stand up and show that getting old is not a shame but pure beauty.
There is no such thing of perfect person or perfect beauty. Our society has let todays technology to
change the natural of beauty and created this image that does not exist.

In all looking back in our history to present time, we should be proud of where we are at. There are many
aspects we still need to accomplish, like equal pay, but we should not look away from what we have
accomplished. We are on the right track, and the possibility of gender equality is definitely in the near
future.